Herb of Intuition and Longevity:
The Miraculous Health Benefits of
He Shou Wu (Fo-Ti)

BY JUSTIN FAERMAN

the benefits of he shou wu, which is also known as fo-ti, are legendary in the chinese medicine pharmacoepia, where it is one of the all time most revered herbs in large part due to its incredible spectrum of health (and spirit) boosting properties.

The Fascinating History and Benefits of He Shou Wu

Long revered as one of the most important and powerful herbs in the Chinese Medicine pharmacopeia, He Shou Wu (Polygonum multiflorum), which is also known as Fo-Ti, has a rich and mystical history that illustrates exactly why it grew to such stature and fame and hints at some of its more exotic—and highly sought after—benefits and effects. It was recorded in ancient Daoist texts that Fo-Ti was discovered around 812 AD, when a frail, weak, sterile old man who had fallen asleep in the forest after a night of heavy drinking awoke next to an exceptionally long He Shou Wu vine.

1. DNA Protection and Repair, Longevity and More

For some, the tale is a stretch of the imagination; however, in recent decades, credible scientific studies into the properties, composition and benefits of He Shou Wu have confirmed that it does indeed stimulate the body to produce many longevity-promoting substances, including superoxide dismutase, which is the most powerful antioxidant in the human body; and it has been credited with reversing many diseases, DNA protection and repair, and extending lifespan in a number of studies [1]. It also inhibits the MAO-B enzyme that correlates to measurable life-extending and health-enhancing effects. And while this is a compelling reason on its own to take Fo-Ti, it only scratches the surface of the many incredible benefits this herb has for promoting health, wellness, and spiritual awareness [2, 3, 4, 5].

2. Libido Booster and Sexual Health Tonic

As alluded to by Mr. He’s story, Polygonum (He Shou Wu) is a powerful, but paradoxically gentle, aphrodisiac and sexual tonic. Known as a kidney Jing tonic, it stimulates and harmonizes adrenal gland function and promotes general endocrine system balance [6]. Jing, in the Chinese Medicine tradition, loosely translates to “vital essence” and refers to the primordial energy that fuels all life and, by extension, our sexuality and drive. Fo-Ti works to increase kidney/adrenal Jing, which is where Daoists believe this energy is stored in the body. This also has the added benefit of harmonizing, balancing, and ultimately calming the nervous system, making He Shou Wu an excellent tonic for those facing burnout or under high levels of stress [7, 8].

he shou wu (botanical name: polygonum multiflorum) is pleasantly sweet with a taste reminiscent of chocolate, making it great with just a splash of hot water. photo: nitsa citrine

Rich in iron and zinc—two hard-to-get essential minerals—He Shou Wu is a first-class blood builder and cell proliferant. There are a number of compounds in the plant that enhance circulation, strengthen red blood cell membranes and stimulate blood-generating hematopoietic stem cells. Fo-Ti also protects and helps maintain the structural integrity of the liver, improves brain function and memory, and enhances immune system functioning in humans and other mammals [8, 9].

3. Hair Growth and Rejuvenation

As alluded to in Mr. He’s miraculous story, He Shou Wu also has a long history of use as a hair growth and rejuvenation tonic. There are literally thousands of first-person reports and a handful of clinical studies [10, 11] of Fo-Ti (or preparations including the herb) demonstrating a remarkable ability to reverse hair loss and restore rich color to white or graying hair. Although the mechanisms are not completely understood, substances with a marked harmonizing effect on the endocrine system (hormone-producing glands) and high zinc content tend to have beneficial effects on hair growth and restoration.

But perhaps the most impressive of all He Shou Wu’s benefits and properties are its effects on our spiritual awareness and higher mental functioning.

4. Psycho-Spiritual Effects: Intuition Enhancing Properties

In the Traditional Chinese Medicine system, He Shou Wu is also classified as a Shen and Yin tonic. Shen translates to “spirit” and anything with Yin properties, which correlates to the feminine element/energy, promotes receptivity. Therefore, we have an herb that makes us “receptive to spirit,” which the more sensitive among us will definitely notice after consuming Fo-Ti for any length of time. In addition to its powerfully rejuvenative physical effects, He Shou Wu benefits and stimulates our intuitive abilities as well, opening us to our deeper spiritual nature and awareness. Users of Fo-Ti often notice a distinct increase in creativity, inspiration, and intuitive guidance, making it an important herb for artists, meditators, or anyone seeking to expand their experience of reality in profound ways.

How to Use For Maximum Benefit

He Shou Wu is unique in that it must be prepared in a more elaborate process than other herbs in order to make it effective for the above uses. Through a centuries-long process of refinement, Daoist herbalists discovered that the Polygonum multiflorum (Fo-Ti) root must be first cooked in a stew of black beans to somewhat alchemically activate its desired benefits. Scientifically speaking, this process has the effect of rendering certain constituents of the plant inert and activating others in a complex series of chemical reactions between the heat and the various nutrients in black beans [12].

As a rule of thumb, all He Shou Wu should, by default, be prepared in this way; but if you don’t see it explicitly mentioned in the product literature, inquire further to be sure. (Note: All recommended products in this article have been verified to be properly prepared He Shou Wu.)

As with any herb, quality, purity and potency are of the utmost importance. As such, look for organic, wildcrafted, or authentic “Di Tao” labeled herbs, as these tend to be of the highest quality.

Fo-Ti has a pleasant, mild, slightly sweet taste, making it an ideal herb to consume as a tea, tincture, or simply mixed in a glass of water. However, capsules are a viable option as well if you simply cannot stand the taste of powdered herbs. Although it is always recommended to take it internally for maximum benefit, those interested in its hair growth-stimulating properties and benefits of He Shou Wu may also rub the powdered herb directly into the scalp after mixing with water or oil for a deeper effect.

Recommended Dosage

As far as dosages for Fo-Ti go, start with what is recommended on the label of the product, as it is always adjusted to the specific concentration of the product, which can and does vary widely. Once you’ve gotten used to those effects, feel free to increase the dose to your liking. However, take note that larger doses of He Shou Wu can sometimes cause loose stools (although quite rare); if you begin to experience this effect, simply back off to a lower dose and heed your body’s feedback signals.

If you are pregnant, lactating or taking pharmaceutical medicines, be sure to check in with your naturopathic doctor or midwife before consuming.

Recommended He Shou Wi (Fo-Ti) Products

Guidelines For Safe and Effective Use

He Shou Wu is a fairly pleasant tasting herb as things go, which makes it fairly versatile and easy to use.  Making a warm tea is a great way to incorporate the herb into your daily routine. You can simply add the root powder to some warm/mildly hot water or use a tea bag product like the one offered by Dragon Herbs above.

If you prefer to take capsules or tincture, simply do so at your convenience. Some people find the herb relaxing and will want to take it at night, others find it mildly uplifting and slightly energizing and hence, will want to take it earlier in the day.

The root powder can also be mixed with oils and applied directly to the scalp when using fo-ti for hair loss and regrowth, although taking it internally is also recommended for this purpose.

Recommended dosages start at 1/2 gram daily up to 4 grams per day. It is always wise to start slow and work your way up to determine the optimal dose for your body.

Side Effects and Interactions

Overall, the plant is remarkably safe and has been used without serious side effects for thousands of years. However, some people report that at higher dosages of the plant, they have noticed mild stomach upset. Like any medicinal plant, more is not always better and often lower dosages have just as much, if not more benefit.

There are few precautions and interactions with He Shou Wu to be worried about, however, if you are concerned about potential interactions with pharmaceutical medications, consult your doctor or naturopath for further guidance. As mentioned previously, always use the properly prepared plant root for maximum safety. All products recommended in this article use properly prepared root and are exceedingly safe.